Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Not All Prodigals Are the Same (1)
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She looked ready to declare her ambitions right then and there, but for some reason, Adelia clamped her mouth shut again.
"If it doesn't come to mind, just tell me later."
I'd pushed her into answering, but it seemed she hadn't thought it through to the end, so I asked her to let me know whenever she figured it out.
"If... if I really become a knight."
But instead of postponing it, she opened her mouth again. She repeated the same words and shut it once more, leaving the listener utterly frustrated.
"I... really become a knight..."
"So what if you do? Spit it out."
At my words, her face flushed bright red as she stammered incoherently.
What on earth is she trying to say?
"...I will."
After a long pause, Adelia spoke with her head bowed low. Her voice was smaller than the flutter of a mosquito's wings.
"What was that?"
At my question, she snapped her head up. Her lips pressed tight in what seemed like a grand resolve, utterly solemn.
"I... will become Your Highness's sword."
The moment her words ended, a peculiar wave rippled through the air.
"Ah..."
I knew exactly what it was.
Some martial epics begin with the first step across a plain, others with the blare of a charge trumpet.
And some martial epics start with a vow.
And sometimes, a martial epic influences others.
Just like right now.
"Hah."
I let out a disbelieving chuckle.
I never imagined a descendant of the mighty Sword Marquis Agnes Bayern would weave an [Epic of Subservience].
No matter her [Slave Mentality] trait.
"Agnes would faint if she knew."
I looked at Adelia.
She squirmed in embarrassment from her own words, a sight to behold. She had no idea what had just happened to her.
It happens sometimes. Unintended actions weaving into an epic.
And in those cases, it usually takes the person some time to realize their own epic verse.
Especially since Adelia's vow came with the condition "if I really become a knight."
She probably wouldn't grasp the existence of her martial epic and its verse until after she truly became a knight.
"Your Highness?"
Seeing me stare silently, she bowed her head in embarrassment.
"Thank you."
"Y-Your Highness... I cannot bear such a burden."
"No, really, thank you."
Thanks to you, I've gained quite a lot.
The new martial epic was impressive, but the real prize was something else.
The fact that her growth would immensely benefit me too.
The [Epic of Subservience] was a paean to its lord, and its utility followed suit.
Of course, I had no idea exactly how her epic would benefit me.
Even the same martial epic could have vastly different effects depending on the lord's interpretation and feelings.
For now, all I could do was wait.
Wait for the Sword Marquis's descendant—with S-grade swordsmanship aptitude and A-grade mana sensitivity—to fully bloom.
And,
"Yawn... sleepy."
For now, I needed sleep.
I fell into slumber as if passing out.
When I woke again, Adelia was still by my side. She sat dozing in the chair by the bed, so I quietly slipped out from under the covers.
"Hm?"
My condition was better than expected. I'd braced for days of lingering aftereffects.
"Thanks to the Epic of Subservience?"
Of course, I doubted an [Ordinary Grade] martial epic could mitigate the aftereffects of the [Epic of the True Dragon].
If it was truly thanks to Adelia, then it must be that her offered epic and my newly created one had revitalized my soul.
"Your Highness?"
Sensing me stirring, Adelia blinked at me sleepily before jumping to her feet.
"I'll prepare water for washing and a light meal."
She vanished before I could reply.
"Hm."
Alone now, I stepped in front of the mirror.
"Ho."
I let out a small gasp at my reflection.
The involuntary five-day fast had slimmed my face nicely. The only flaw was my thin lips and narrow eyes giving a somewhat sly look.
Still, this was a rebirth of sorts.
"Well, it is a rebirth."
Heh heh.
I chuckled at my own lame joke when Adelia returned.
But she had a tail following her.
I couldn't help but frown.
An unwelcome guest.
"Ian."
The Queen—the person I avoided most in the palace—was with her.
"Are you unwell somewhere? This won't do. We must call the royal physician."
She immediately fussed with overflowing maternal affection, and I gave an awkward smile.
If only she'd look at me like the King did, impersonally. But the Queen always gazed at me with warm eyes.
I couldn't lash out like with the King—that felt wrong. Yet pretending to be a good son bruised my pride.
"Ugh... my head."
So I squeezed my eyes shut and put on a pathetic act.
"Lie down at once. Rest properly. Your mother will stay by your side today."
It hit like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
She was already uncomfortable enough, and spending the whole day with her? The thought was horrifying.
"I think I'm feeling better now."
As I awkwardly performed, the Queen sighed.
"Why do you always find your mother so burdensome?"
Because I'm not your real son.
I couldn't say it straight, so I sighed too, and she sighed in tandem.
"Your Highness. Allow me to assist with your ablutions."
While the Queen fell silent, Adelia offered a silver basin of water for washing. As I wiped my face with the cool water, I stole a glance at the Queen's face.
She looked like she had something to say.
And sure enough.
"Are you perhaps resenting your uncle?"
The Queen broached the subject.
"Your uncle surely didn't mean you harm. He's just clumsy and rough around the edges—that's all. So don't hold it against him too much."
The Queen went on at length defending my uncle.
He'd spent more time with swords and troops than people, forgotten how to treat family amid rough men, his clumsy and coarse nature, and so on.
Boiled down, she was calling my uncle a social misfit.
"So if there's any grudge, brush it off. That's what a man does."
"No grudge."
"How could there not be? He laid hands on you so harshly and nagged endlessly. Denying a grudge would be a lie."
"No, really, there isn't."
It wasn't a lie.
I harbored no resentment toward my uncle. None at all.
I'd never given him my heart or expected anything. He was just a nuisance to me.
Besides, I'd gotten some payback already.
His sword shattered against the mana in my heart, which he'd dismissed. He broke his own word by deploying four rings—not to mention unleashing an aura blade.
His pride was wounded, his cherished truths denied.
It must feel like the world crumbling.
My uncle was a high-skilled knight, but lacking the soul to match. He'd honed his craft to reach that level—nothing surprising.
It must be unbearable.
My revenge on the nagging knight was a "heart demon."
If he had the ability, he'd overcome it; if not, even his famed prowess would crumble.
Either way, it didn't matter to me.
I'd given as good as I got—any lingering resentment would be odd at this point.
But the Queen, unaware of the truth, assumed I was just hiding my bitterness.
"Know that your confinement ended early because your uncle appealed to His Majesty."
She said he'd been moved by my diligent behavior during confinement, deeply disappointed when I joined that wicked social club, sharing backstory I hadn't known.
"That incident put your uncle in a tough spot. He'd staked his name guaranteeing you, after all."
This was unexpected—I was a bit flustered.
I never imagined that grumpy uncle had persuaded the King behind the scenes to lift my confinement.
After going to such lengths with his guarantee, his nephew caused a scene the moment he was free—must've irked him greatly.
That explained his prickly attitude.
"Though bound to His Majesty by lord-vassal ties, your uncle isn't someone the King treats lightly. He now owes His Majesty a debt from this, which will complicate his conduct ahead—a bad thing for him, you, and me."
She'd started urging me not to resent him, now pushing me to apologize.
But hearing her out, it wasn't unreasonable—I was left speechless.
"Since you seem to understand, I'll say no more."
I barely touched my meal before lying back down. I closed my eyes hoping the Queen might leave, but alas, she was set on staying all day—she showed no sign of departing.
"About the fiancée I mentioned before."
After a quiet spell, the Queen spoke.
But the topic was one I found extremely uncomfortable.
"We'll decide at this upcoming banquet."
Her voice was gentle yet firm.
"I've selected some fine young ladies. One will be chosen as your fiancée."
Her tone brooked no argument, as if hammering it in.
"Keep that in mind."
The Queen spent the entire day by my side before leaving. But I still couldn't rest.
Another guest she'd sent was grilling me.
"No. Absolutely not."
I threw a fit, but the guest—the scholar the Queen had sent—didn't budge an inch.
"Your Highness will soon turn seventeen. Even starting now is quite late."
"No, I mean... why do I need to study?"
Thanks to the Queen's excessive maternal love, I was facing unwanted studies.
"What separates man from beast if not learning?"
"Did you just call me a beast?"
"The unlearned are as such. Your Highness is just beginning your studies. A good start is half the battle—you're already on the path of learning. Thus, you are no beast."
"I haven't started. And no wordplay."
At my retort, the scholar closed his book. He fixed me with eyes as deep as the wrinkles around them.
"Some things must be done, even if Your Highness dislikes them. Studying is one."
"It's not that I don't want to."
"Then what is the reason?"
To the scholar's question, I replied indifferently.
"No need to learn."
"And why is that?"
"I know enough already."
The scholar burst into hearty laughter.
"I've devoted sixty years to scholarship, yet I dare not claim to know enough. How can Your Highness say such a thing?"
I laughed heartily too.
It was absurd.
A mere old man who'd lived less than a century was boasting before me—it was hilarious.
Still smiling, I sat across from the scholar.
"Shall we play an interesting game?"